A Joint Statement from the Leadership at
Meals on Wheels of America
As a member of Meals on Wheels America, the national leadership organization supporting more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country like SOS Meals on Wheels, we are proud to echo and stand by the joint statement below from Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander, Board Chair Patti Lyons and Vice Chair Calvin Moore in response to nationwide civil unrest.
Like the rest of the country, our network continues to be in the throes of responding to an unprecedented pandemic—which we have done and will continue to do with unshakeable commitment to protecting those who are most vulnerable and need our support. We are immensely proud of the impact Meals on Wheels is having and the collaboration and dedication of our network through this crisis. At the same time, the deep-rooted, long-standing issue of systemic racism has been reignited, and it requires us to respond with the same unshakeable commitment to protecting those who need and deserve our support.

Many are suffering from violent reminders that their lives are not protected from the consequences of hatred and brutality and are experiencing trauma and fear. This is a time like no other to come together and exemplify what we aspire to be as a community: where everyone is created equal, where everyone is seen, where everyone is heard, where everyone belongs and where everyone is safe. These are the values we embrace at Meals on Wheels America and these are the values we want to uphold through our influence.
We share these values as well. SOS Meals on Wheels is now and always will be dedicated to the health, equity, and wellbeing of our older neighbors and our community as a whole. And we stand with all who are are fighting for the same for their communities.

Be kind, be safe, stay distant,

Charlie Deterline, Executive Director